Sunday, July 16, 2017

Book Review: The Night the Lights Went Out by Karen White

This was the first novel I’ve read by Karen White and I
absolutely enjoyed it. Here is the book description and my thoughts on this
story.

The Night the Lights
Went Out

Karen White

Book Description:

Recently divorced, Merilee Talbot Dunlap moves with her two
children to the Atlanta suburb of Sweet Apple, Georgia. It’s not her first time
starting over, but her efforts at a new beginning aren’t helped by an anonymous
local blog that dishes about the scandalous events that caused her marriage to
fail.

Merilee finds some measure of peace in the cottage she is renting from town
matriarch Sugar Prescott. Though stubborn and irascible, Sugar sees something
of herself in Merilee—something that allows her to open up about her own
colorful past.

Sugar’s stories give Merilee a different perspective on the town and its
wealthy school moms in their tennis whites and shiny SUVs, and even on her new
friendship with Heather Blackford. Merilee is charmed by the glamorous young
mother’s seemingly perfect life and finds herself drawn into Heather's world.

In a town like Sweet Apple, where sins and secrets are as likely to be found
behind the walls of gated mansions as in the dark woods surrounding Merilee’s
house, appearance is everything. But just how dangerous that deception can be
will shock all three women....

Marilee Dunlap is reeling after her divorce and moves with
her two children into a sweet cottage home that she is renting from the elderly
Sugar Prescott, a well-to-do woman who doesn’t suffer fools. The two women
strike up an unlikely friendship, and Sugar feels compelled to tell Marilee
stories of her scandalous past. Meanwhile, Marilee is facing trouble as a local
blogger is intent upon digging up her own secrets. Despite that, Marilee is
soon accepted by the most popular mother in the school, Heather Blackford, and
they become fast friends. Sugar warns Marilee about Heather, but Marilee doesn’t
see her new friend the way Sugar paints her. It won’t be long before Marilee
will wish she’d heeded Sugar’s warning.

This was such an entertaining novel with a touch of intrigue
and mystery included. I adored the character, Sugar, despite her prim and
proper ways. Her story of her youth is so interesting that it’s hard to believe
this is fiction. And the relationship that grows between Marilee and the
uptight Sugar is heartwarming. The plot is more than one or two stories—it is
many stories and mysteries infused into one novel. It keeps the reader thinking
throughout and is an enjoyable read. I highly recommend.

(I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and
NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.)

About the Author:

I grew up being a voracious reader and it was a natural step
to turn my interest to writing. I have published award-winning and bestselling
novels including my latest release THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT published by
Penguin Random House in April, 2017. This is the book I'm calling my
"Steel Magnolias" meets "The Girl on the Train." Spanning
from the Depression era to modern day, it's a story of three very different
women, and the true meaning of friendship.

I write what others have termed "grit-lit"--southern women's fiction,
as well as a contemporary paranormal mystery series (The House on Tradd Street
is the 1st book in the series) set in Charleston, South Carolina. All of my
books are set in the US South, and feature a female protagonist at a crossroads
in her life.

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Welcome!

I write sweet and spicy romances and heartfelt women's fiction novels. I've even written one middle-grade novel that will take you on the adventure of a lifetime.

I am an avid reader and love to support authors. Please take a moment to visit my book pages above to learn more about my novels. Also, take some time to leaf through the pages of my blog and read reviews of my favorite books. There are so many amazing authors and I love sharing their books with you.

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Deanna

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